According to the newly elected MEC Makalo Mohale, who is also the former ANC Youth League President, issues that plague the youth urgently needs to be placed at the forefront. Tabling his R631 million budget for the 2019/20 fiscal year in the provincial legislature, Mohale announced that the bulk of the budget will go towards programmes aimed at youth empowerment, poverty alleviation and job creation. 

The former youth league president has outlined how young people are often at the periphery and he vowed to change the status quo. Mohale told the House that it is appalling that the province is amongst those with high unemployment rates and that the development of SMMEs is of high importance in the fight against increasing unemployment.

Mohale confirmed that the province has last year recorded R8.4 billion worth of foreign investments, with notable economic growth in the Mangaung Metro and Fezile Dabi.

He alluded that more needs to be done to draw investments in the other three districts. Mohale says his department aims to achieve this through infrastructure development, and the enhancement of tourists attractions.  

Mohale has committed that his budget will also cover key areas such as the filling of vacant vacancies and support to SMMEs, amongst others.  

"Half a million has been set aside for graduate interns to provide them with work experience," he said.  

According to the latest unemployment report by Stats SA, the province recorded 34.9% unemployment during the first quarter of 2018 as compared to just over 32% that was recorded the year before that.

Mohale has reiterated that economic growth, small business development, job creation and skills development tops his list of priorities.

OFM News